Elements of a Tragedy: Unraveling Macbeth's Fate

1. Shakespearian Tragedy

2. Elements of a Tragedy A tragedy is divided into five parts. In his book Technique of the Drama (1863), The German critic Gustav Freytag proposed a method of analyzing plots derived from Aristotle's concept of unity of action that came to be known as Freytag's Triangle or Freytag's Pyramid.

3. Elements of a Tragedy Climax Rising Action Falling Action Exposition Denouement

4. For brave Macbeth--well he deserves that name-- O valiant cousin! worthy gentleman! He bade me, from him, call thee thane of Cawdor:In which addition, hail, most worthy thane! Macbeth Thane of Glamis Exposition We meet the Hero.

5. Macbeth: The tragic hero According to Aristotle: • Usually of noble birth • Hamartia - the tragic flaw that eventually leads to his downfall. • Peripeteia - a reversal of fortune brought about by the hero's tragic flaw Vaulting ambition Killing of Banquo

6. Elements of a Tragedy Rising Action Here’s the first real turning point in the play. What happens which causes a change in the course of the action in Macbeth? Exposition

7. All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, thane of Glamis! Macbeth meets the Witches All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, thane of Cawdor! Rising Action All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter! Exposition

8. Elements of a Tragedy Banquo’s Ghost appears Climax Rising Action Thou canst not say I did it: never shake  Thy gory locks at me! Which of you have done this? Exposition

9. Elements of a Tragedy On the heels of the appearance of the Ghost of Banquo Macbeth starts to make decisions which will lead to his downfall. What do you think the first one is? Climax Macbeth returns to the Witches Rising Action Falling Action Exposition

10. Macbeth returns to the Witches Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! beware Macduff;Beware the thane of Fife. Dismiss me. Enough. Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scornThe power of man, for none of woman bornShall harm Macbeth. Macbeth shall never vanquish'd be untilGreat Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hillShall come against him.

11. Elements of a Tragedy Macbeth returns to the Witches Climax Macbeth decides to kill Macduff Rising Action Falling Action Exposition

12. Killing of Macduff’s Family The castle of Macduff I will surprise; Seize upon Fife; give to the edge o' the sword His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls That trace him in his line. All my pretty ones?Did you say all? O hell-kite! All?What, all my pretty chickens and their damAt one fell swoop?

13. Elements of a Tragedy Macbeth returns to the Witches Macbeth decides to kill Macduff Climax Rising Action Falling Action Lady Macbeth loses her mind. Exposition Things are heading downhill at pace. What’s the next tragic event?

14. Lady Macbeth loses her mind Out, damned spot! out, I say!—One: two: why, then, 'tis time to do't.—Hell is murky!—Fie, my lord, fie! a soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account?—Yet who would have thought the old  man to have had so much blood in him?

15. Elements of a Tragedy Macbeth returns to the Witches Macbeth decides to kill Macduff Climax Lady Macbeth loses her mind. Rising Action Falling Action Lady Macbeth kills herself. Exposition At this point Macbeth has become a monster and we feel no sympathy for him at all. But for the Tragedy to work we have to care about him again. What event happens here which turns Macbeth back into a human being?

16. She should have died hereafter; To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,Creeps in this petty pace from day to dayTo the last syllable of recorded time,And all our yesterdays have lighted foolsThe way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!Life's but a walking shadow, a poor playerThat struts and frets his hour upon the stageAnd then is heard no more: it is a taleTold by an idiot, full of sound and fury,Signifying nothing..

17. Elements of a Tragedy Macbeth returns to the Witches Macbeth decides to kill Macduff Climax Lady Macbeth loses her mind. Lady Macbeth kills herself. Rising Action Falling Action Exposition Denouement

18. Dénouement Dénouement (pronounced: day-noo-mon(t)) French word dénouement is derived from the Old French word denoer, "to untie", and from nodus, Latin for "knot." Simply put, dénouement is the unraveling or untying of the complexities of a plot According to Freytag: The Dénouement comprises events between the falling action and the actual end of the drama or narrative and thus serves as the conclusion of the story. Conflicts are resolved, creating normality for the characters and a sense of catharsis, or release of tension and anxiety, for the reader.

19. Elements of a Tragedy Macbeth returns to the Witches Macbeth decides to kill Macduff Climax Lady Macbeth loses her mind. Lady Macbeth kills herself. Rising Action Falling Action Exposition Denouement What happens at this point which leads to the final solution of the plot? Macduff confronts Macbeth.

20. Macduff confronts Macbeth  Turn, hell-hound, turn! Despair thy charm;And let the angel whom thou still hast servedTell thee, Macduff was from his mother's wombUntimely ripp'd. Accursed be that tongue that tells me so….. Lay on, Macduff,And damn'd be him that first cries, 'Hold, enough!'

21. Malcolm is crowned King Order is restored Climax Rising Action Falling Action Exposition Denouement